Chute assembly for automatic pin setting machines



March 4, 1952 J. J. SCHEPPE 2,533,297

CHUTE ASSEMBLY FOR AUTQMATIC PIN SETTING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 4, 1949 John J. Sc/reppe INVENTOR.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

John J. Scheppe BY W w -J. J. SCHEPPE CHUTE ASSEMBLY FOR AUTOMATIC PIN SETTING MACHINES March 4, 1952 Filed m. 4. 1949 March 4, 1952 J. J. SCHEPPE 2,588,297

CHUTE ASSEMBLY FOR AUTOMATIC PIN SETTING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 4, 1949 John J. Scheppe INVENTOR.

Patented Mar. 4, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHUTE ASSEMBLY FOR AUTOMATIC PIN SETTING MACHINES Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in pin setting machines and the primary object of the present invention is to provide a chute assembly for automatic pin setting machines including an inclined delivery chute having a plurality of passages therein which are provided with openings that will receive pins in a predetermined order and embodying novel and improved means for blocking a passage after the openings therein have been filled, so that additional pins will be directed into another of the passages.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a chute assembly for automatic pin setting machines including an inclined chute having a plurality of pin receiving openings therein and hinged closures between adjacent openings adapted to be opened for blocking one of the openings, after a pin has entered said one of-the openings, and directing a pin into an unfilled opening.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a chute assembly for automatic pin setting apparatus including a chute having a plurality of pin receiving openings therein, an electrically operated conveyor for delivering pins to the chute, and a trip device controlling said conveyor and operated by a pin passing into a selected one of the openings.

A still further aim of the present invention is to provide a chute assembly for automatic pin setting machines that is simple and practical in construction, strong and reliable in use, small and compact in structure, neat and attractive in appearance, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and otherwise well adapted for the purposes for which the same is intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part thereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of the present invention and showing the same in use with the openings in the initial passage filled with pins and the gate to the initial passage closed;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken substantially on the plane of section line 2-2 of Figure 1, and showing the pins removed;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken substantially on the plane of section line 3--3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken substantially on the plane of section line 4 4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal vertical sectional View taken substantially on the plane of section line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is an end view of the present invention taken substantially in the direction of the arrow numbered 6 in Figure 1; and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially on the plane of section line l--'! of Figure 1 and illustrating the con veyor trip mechanism.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein for the purpose of illustration, there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the numeral Hl represents the present pin receiving chute generally, including a lower wall !2 and an upper wall l4 that is suitably secured to the lower wall.

Suitably secured to the straight, parallel side edges of the upper' and lower walls l2 and I4, is a pair of spaced parallel, upstanding side walls I5 and I8 that project upwardly from the upper wall l4.

One rear corner of the chute I0 is removed and a forwardly and outwardly inclined rear side wall 20 is secured to the rear inclined edges of the walls [2 and I4 and the forward end of the rear sidewall 20 abuts the rear end of the side wall l8. i

A forward wall 22 is secured to the forward edges of the walls 12 and I4 and its outer end abuts the forward end of the side wall [8. The inner end, of the forward wall 22 abuts the inner end of an inclined forward wall 24 that extends between the walls [6 and 22.

Fixed to and rising from the upper wall [4, is a plurality of spaced parallel walls or ribs 26, 28 and 3!] having rear beveled terminals 32 that are spaced from the inclined rear side wall 28. For the purpose of explanation, the area between the walls I8 and 36 will be referred. to as an initial passage 34, the area between the walls 23 and 30 as a first intermediate passage 36, the area between the walls 26 and 28 as a second intermediate passage'38, and the area between the walls I 6 and 26 as a final passage 40.

Mounted in the passages 34, 36, 38 and 46 at the forward ends thereof and between the walls forming the passages, is a plurality of blocks 42, 44, and 48 which are provided with concaved recesses 50 in their inner faces that communicate with openings 52, 54, 56 and 58 that are provided in the walls 12 and I4 of the respective passages 34, 36, 38 and 4|].

The initial passage is also provided with a pair of intermediate openings 60 and 62 and a final opening 64. Spaced closures or panels 66, 68 and I are pivoted or hinged at their forward edges to the walls I8 and 30 and are mounted in the initial passage 34 so that the closure 66 normally closes the opening 60, the closure 68 normally closes the opening 62, and the closure I6 normally closes the opening 64.

Each of the closures 66, 68 and I0 is provided with a forwardly and downwardly inclined arm 12, and the arm I2 of the closure 66 is positioned in the opening 52, the arm I2 of the closure 68 is positioned in the opening 60, and they arm of the closure I0 is positioned in the opening 62.

The first intermediate passage 36, inaddition to the opening 54, is provided with a pair of spaced openings I4 and I6 that are normally closed by a pair of hinged panels, sections or closures I8 and 80 which are pivoted at their forward ends between the walls 28 and 30. These latest closures I8 and 80 are also provided. with downwardly and forwardly included arms 82 that are normally disposed in the openings 54 and I4 respectively.

The second intermediate passage 38 is provided with a further opening 84 disposed adjacent and rearwardly of the opening 56 and this opening 84is normally closed by a closure or hinged panel 86 having its forward end pivoted between the walls 26 and 28.

An arm 88 projects downwardly and forwardly from the closure'86 and is disposed within the opening 56. h

Slidably received in slots 90 provided in the walls I2 and I4 are closures or gates 92, 94 and 96 that will close the entrances into the passages 34, 36 and 38, respectively, when the same are raised. It should be noted that the wall is provided with slots 98 that receive the rear terminals of the gates 92 and 94 whereas the rear terminal of the gate 96 slides adjacent the rear end of the wall 20.

Guide strips I00 and I02 are secured to the walls 28Iand for directing pins in the passages 38 and 36 toward the openings in said passages and a further guide strip I04 mounted on the wall 20 directs pins entering the initial passage toward the openings in said initial passage.

Pivoted as at I06 to a bracket depending from the chute and adjacent the opening 64, is a forwardly inclined hinged plate or arm I08 from which there extends a lateral projection IIO. A further bracket II2 depends from the chute I0 beneath the passage 34 and supports a bellcrank lever II4 one end of which is pivoted to the gate 92. A' link or pitman II6 connects the free end of the lever II4 to the projection IIO.

A bell crank lever H8 is pivoted to the support H2 and one end of the lever H8 is pivoted to the gate 92 whereas the free end of the lever H8 supports a counter-weight I20 which normally urges the gate 92 to a lowered and open position with the arm I08 in a forwardly inclined position.

Pivoted as at I22 to a bracket depending from the chute and beneath the passage 36, is a hinged panel or arm I24 that is normally disposed beneath the opening I6.

A further bracket or support I26 extends downwardly from the passage 34 and supports a bell-crank lever I28 one end of which is pivoted to the gate 94 and the remaining end of which is connected toa lateral projection I30, extending from the arm I24, by a pitman or link I32.

A bell crank lever I34 is pivoted to the bracket I26 and one end of the lever I34 is pivoted to the gate 94 Whereas the free end of the lever I34 supports a counter weight I36 that normally urges the gate 94 to a lowered and open position.

A further hinged panel or arm I38 is pivoted to a suitable bracket depending from the passage 38 and normally extends into the opening 64. This arm I38 is provided with a lateral projection I40 that is pivoted'to one end of a link I42.

A bracket I44 depends from the chute and supports a pair of bell crank levers I46 and I48 the upper ends of which are pivoted to the gate 96. The lower end of the lever I46 is pivoted to the free end of the link I42, and the lower end of the lever I48 supports a counter-weight I50 that normally urges thegate 96 to a lowered and open position.

The brackets or supports II2, I26 and I44 each include stop plates I52 that will limit the downward sliding movement of the gates .92, 94and 96 and which normally support the ates when the latter are in an open position.

Rising from the passage 46, adjacent the opening 56 is a fixed support I54 to which there is re:-

mova'oly secured a fixed contact member I56 that normally contacts a movable contact member I58. The movable contact member I68 is pivoted between the spaced legs of a .U-shaped bracket I68 mounted in the passage 40 andsupports a downwardly and forwardly inclined. arm or operating plate I62 that is disposed in. the opening 56.

The contact members I56 and IE8 are.v connected to circuit wires I64 that extend to a motor operated conveyor I66 having a plurality of rockable pin supporting cradles I68which are rocked by a cam I69 on a contact member III atthe rear of the chute E6 whereby the pins Il0 in the cradles I68 will roll down the member I'i'I to engage a. stop or turner plate I12 mounted on the chute.

Arcuate guides 1'14 depend from the chute I6 and from each of the openings in the passages, it being noted that the length of the guides I'I4 increase from the passage 34 to the passage 40.

and decrease from the rear of the chute to the forward endv of the chute since the chuteis to be inclined downwardly from the passage 40 to the passage 34 and downwardly from the rear of the chute to the forward end of the chute.

In practical use of the present invention, the conveyor I66 rotates and pins are discharged from the conveyor and roll down the member I'II where the same partially contact the plate I72 to turn the pins slightly.

The pins slide base first down the chute III and the first pin enters the passage 34, slides over the closures 66, 66 and T0 and falls into the opening 62 where the same urges the arm I2 downwardly and rearwardly to raise the closure 66.

The second pin sliding down the chute will enter the passage 34, slide over the closures 68 and I0 and contact the closure 66 so that the same will be directed into the opening 60 to force the arm H of the closure 68 downwardly and rearwardly thereby raising the closure 68.

The third pin, entering the passage 34, will ride over.the closure I6, contact the plate 68, and will then be directed into the opening 62 to move the arm I2 of the closure I0 downwardly and rearwardly to raise the closure I0.

The fourth pin, entering the passage 34, will contact the closure 70 and be directed into the opening 64 to move the arm I08 downwardly andrearwardlyto raise theclosure create 92.

The fifth pin entering the chute It) will engage the gate 92, be directed into the passage 36, slide over the closures l8 and 80, and will enter the opening 54 to move the arm 82 of the closure 18 downwardly and rearwardly and raise the closure 18.

The sixth pin entering the chute Ill will enter the passage 36, engage the closure 18, and be directed into the opening 14 thereby moving the arm 82 for the closure 8t downwardly and rearwardly to raise the closure 80.

The seventh pin entering the chute it) will enter the passage 36, contact the closure 8|], and be directed into the opening it to move the arm I24 downwardly and rearwardly to raise the gate 94.

The eighth pin entering the chute l0 will engage the gate M and will be directed into the passage 38, slide over the closure 86, and will enter the opening 55 to move the arm 88 downwardly and rearwardly to raise the closure 86.

The ninth pin entering the chute IE] will be directed into the passage 38 to contact the closure 86 whereupon the same will enter the opening 84 to move the arm !38 downwardly and rearwardly to raise the gate 96.

The tenth pin entering the chute will engage the gate 96 and be directed into the passage 40 where the same will enter the opening 58 to move the arm I62 downwardly and rearwardly to space the contact members I56 and i513 and break the circuit to the conveyor.

Obviously, the instant structure is capable of being used in conjunction with a sweeping mechanism whereby the pins may be swept to a conveyor that leads to the conveyor ltfi, so that after the pins have been struck by a ball the said pins may be again set up.

It should be noted that the instant chute assembly is to be used in conjunction with a pin cage assembly (not shown) located under the chute, and when the pin cage assembly is lowered or moved below and from the chute assembly to deposit pins on the alley, the gates and panels on the chute assembly return to their normal position.

In view of the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings it is believed that a clear understanding of the device will be quite apparent to those skilled in this art. A more detailed description is accordingly deemed unnecessary.

It is to be understood, however, that even though there is herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention the same is susceptible of certain changes fully comprehended by the spirit of the invention as herein described and the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A chute assembly for automatic pin setting machines comprising a chute having a plurality of parallel passages and openings in said passages for receiving pins, means responsive to entry of a pin in an opening for blocking the openings after a pin has entered therein, and vertically slidable gate means paralleling said passages and operated by entry of a pin into preselected openings for closing the passage leading to the filled openings.

2-. A chute assembly for automatic pin setting machines comprising a chute having a plurality of parallel passages and openings provided in said passages, pivotal closure members swingable toward and away from said openings, said members being pressure operated to a closed position in response to entry of a pin in an opening, vertically slidable gates paralleling said passages and adapted to close the entrance into selected passages, and means operated by a selected member in each of said passages for moving said gates to a closed position.

3. A chute assembly for automatic pin setting machines comprising a chute having a plurality of adjoining parallel passages including an initial passage, a final passage and a plurality of intermediate passages, a pair of adjacent openings provided in the bottom wall of each of said intermediate passages and said initial passage, a hinged panel between each pair of said openings for blocking one of said pair of openings responsive to entry of a pin into the other of said pair of openings, vertically slidable gates between adjacent passages adapted to close the entrance into said passages, and an operating arm mounted in a selected opening in each passage and connected to said gates for actuating the gates to a closed position during movement of said arms under the weight of a pin.

4. A chute assembly for automatic pin setting machine comprising a chute having a delivery passage, said passage having a plurality of pin receiving openings therein including an initial opening, first and second intermediate openings and a final opening, a first hinged panel between said initial opening and said first intermediate opening and normally closing said first intermediate opening, a second hinged panel between said intermediate openings, a third hinged panel between said second intermediate opening and said final opening, said first panel being actuated to an open position by a pin passing into said initial opening to block said initial opening and direct a pin into said first intermediate opening, said second panel being actuated to an open position by a pin passing into said first intermediate opening and direct a pin into said second intermediate opening, said third panel being actuated to an open position by a pin passing into said second intermediate opening to block the second intermediate opening and direct a pin into said final opening, a vertically slidable closure for said passage and paralleling said passage, and means mounted in said final opening for moving said closure to a closed position as a pin passes into said final opening.

5. A chute assembly for automatic pin setting machine comprising a chute having a delivery passage, said passage having a plurality of pin receiving openings therein including an initial opening, first and second intermediate openings and a final opening, a first hinged panel between said initial opening and said first intermediate opening and normally closing said first intermediate opening, a second hinged panel between said intermediate openings, a third hinged panel between said second intermediate opening and said final opening, said first panel being actuated to an open position by a pin passing into said initial opening to block said initial opening and direct a pin into said first intermediate opening, said second panel being actuated to an open position by a pin passing into said first intermediate opening to block the. first intermediate opening and direct a pin into said second intermediate opening, said third panel being actuated to an open position by a pin passing into said second intermediate opening to block the second intermediate opening and direct a pin into said final opening, a vertically slidable closure for said passage and paralleling said passage, means mount:

ed' in said final opening for moving the closure to a closed position as apin passes into said final opening, a second passage paralleling the delivery passage and having a plurality of openings adapted to receive pins after the openings in said first mentioned passage have been filled with pins and after said closure hasbeen moved to a closed position, theopenings in said second passage including a first opening, a second opening and a third opening, a further hinged panel between said first and second openings and normally closing the second opening, said further panel being actuated to an open position by a pin passing into said first opening to block the first opening and direct a pin into said second opening, a still further hinged panel between said second and third openings and normally closing said third opening, said still further panel being actuated to an open position by a pin passing into said second opening to block the second opening and direct a pin into the third opening, a further vertically slidable closure for said second passage and paralleling said second passage, and means mounted in said third opening and connected to said further closure for operating the latter to a closed position as a pin passes into said third opening.

6. A chute assembly for automatic pin setting machine comprising a chute having a delivery passage, said passage having a plurality of pin receiving openings therein including an initial opening, first and second intermediate openings and a final opening, a first hinged panel between said initial opening and said first intermediate opening and normally closing said first intermediate opening, a second hinged panel between said intermediate openings, a third hinged panel between said second intermediate opening and said final opening, said first panel being actuated to an open position by a, pin passing into said initial opening to block said initial opening and direct a pin into said first intermediate opening, said second panel being actuated to an open position by a pin passing into said first intermediate opening to block the first intermediate opening and direct a pin into said second intermediate opening, said third panel being actuated to an open position by a pin passing into said second intermediate opening to block the second intermediate opening and direct a pin into said final opening, a vertically slidable closure for said passage and paralleling said passage, means mounted in said final opening for moving the closureto a closed position as a pin passes into said final opening, second passage paralleling the delivery passage and having a plurality of openings adapted to receive pins after the openings in said first mentioned passage have been filled with pins and after said closure has been moved to a closed position, the openings in said second passage including a first opening, a second opening and a third opening, a further hinged panel between said first and second openings and normally closing the second opening, said further panel being actuated to an open position by a pin passing into said first opening to block the first opening and direct a pin into said second opening, a still further hinged panel between said second and third openings and normally closing said thirdopening, said still further panel being actuated to an open position by a pin passing into said second opening to block the second opening and direct a pin into the third opening, a further vertically slidable closure for said second passage and paralleling said second passage, means mounted in said'third opening and connectedto said further closure for operating the'latter to a closed position as a pin passes into said third opening, a third passage paralleling said delivery and second passages and having a pair of openings therein, a hinged closure between said pair of openings and normally closing one of said openings, said hinged closure being actuated to an open position by a pin passing into one of said openings to block said one of said openings and direct a pin into the remaining-of said pair of openings, an operating arm mounted in'the remaining of said pair of openings, and a vertically slidable gate paralleling the third passage and operated by said arm for closing said third passage.

'7. A chute assembly for automatic pin setting machines comprising a chute having a delivery passage, said passage having a plurality of pin receiving openings therein including an initial opening, first and second intermediate openings and a final opening, a first hinged panel between said initial opening and said first intermediate opening and normally closing said first intermediate opening, a second hinged panel between said intermediate openings, a third hinged panel between said second intermediate opening and said final opening, said first panel being actuated to an open position by a pin passing into said initial opening to block said initial opening and direct a pin into said first intermediate opening, said second panel being actuated to an open position by a pin passing into said first intermediate opening to block the first intermediate opening and direct a pin into said second intermediate opening, said third panel being actuated to an open position by a pin passing into said initial opening to block said initial opening and direct a pin into said first intermediate opening, said second panel being actuated to an open position by a pin passing into said first intermedi'ate opening to block the first intermediate opening and direct a pin into said second intermediate opening, said third panel being actuated to an open position by-a pin passing into said second intermediate opening to block" the second inter-mediate opening and direct a pin into said final opening, a vertically slidable closure for said passage and paralleling said passage, means mounted in said final opening for moving the closure to a closed position as a pin passes into said final opening, a second passage paralleling the initial passage and having a plurality of openings adapted to receive pins after the openings in said first mentioned passage have been filled with pins and after said closure has been moved to a closed position, the openings in said second passage including a first opening, a second opening and a third opening, afurther hinged panel between said first and second openings and normally closing the second opening, said further panel being actuated to an open position by a pin passing into said firstopening to block the first opening and direct a pin into said second "opening, a still further hinged panel between said second and third openingsand nor-'- mally closing said third opening, said still further panel being actuated to an open position by a pin passing into said second opening to block the second opening and direct apin into the third opening, a further vertically slidable closurefor said second passage and paralleling said second passage, and means mounted in saidthird' openingand connected to said furtherclosure for operating the latter to a closed position as apin passes into said third opening, a third passage paralleling the initial and second passages and having a pair of opening therein, a hinged closure between said pair of openings and normally closing one of said openings, said hinged closure being actuated to an open position by a, pin passing into one of said openings to block said one of said openings and direct a pin into the remaining of said pair of openings, an operating arm mounted in the remaining of said pair of openings, and a vertically slidable gate paralleling said third passage and operated by said arm for closing said third passage, a final passage having an opening therein adapted to receive a pin deflected from said gate, means for directing pins onto said chute, and means associated with the opening in said final passage for controlling said last mentioned means.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said last mentioned means includes a trip mechanism including an operating arm mounted in the opening in said final passage.

9. A chute assembly for automatic pin setting machines comprising a chute having a plurality of parallel passages and openings in said passages for receiving pins, means associated with the openings and responsive to entry of a pin in an opening for blocking the openings after a pin has entered therein, gate means paralleling said passages and operated by entry of a pin into pre selected openings for closing the passage leading to the filled openings, and a conveyor control switch received in one of said openings and adapted to be actuated as a pin passes into said one of said openings.

"3 10. A chute assembly for automatic pin setting machines comprising an elongated flat memher including a forward corner and a rear corner disposed diagonally opposite from said forward corner and located higher than the forward corner, a, plurality of spaced parallel walls rising from the member and defining with the member a plurality of spaced parallel passages, the rear portions of said passages being in communication, said member having a plurality of openings located within the passages, pivotal closures carried by said member for upward swinging movement from the member to block the openings responsive to entry of a pin therein, a vertically slidable gate carried by the member for each passage and adapted to block the entrance of pins into a selected passage in response to entry of pins into all openings in said selected passage, and an actuating mechanism for each gate, said mechanisms including swinging members located under an opening of each passage and actuated by pins entering the openings under which the swinging members are located. 1

JOHN J. SCHEPPE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,068,729 Bjorkholm July 29, 1913 1,286,999 Gray Dec. 10, 1918 1,449,012 Lorenz et al. Mar. 20, 1923 1,476,688 Carman Dec. 11, 1923 2,037,931 Schmidt Apr. 21, 1936 2,292,615 Corbell Aug. 11, 1942 2,341,475 Parra et al. Feb. 8. 1944 2,388,707 Rundell Nov. 13, 1945 

